FS 38

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A lightweight, value-priced consumer trimmer with many quality design features.

The STIHL FS 38 Grass Trimmer is ideal for homeowners looking for a great value. High cutting speeds and a 15" cutting width trim time off landscaping chores by providing excellent cutting performance. Its lightweight design - just 9.3 pounds! - along with an ergonomic loop handle, curved shaft and low vibration provide operator comfort as well as exceptional handling and maneuverability around la...Read More

Multi-Function Control HandleHaving easy access to all of the controls on one comfortable handle makes it easy to complete tasks so the operator’s hand never has to leave the handle.

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WARNING! Improper use of any power tool may cause serious
or fatal injury. Read, understand and follow carefully the operating
and safety instructions in your instruction manual before using such products.

STIHL products sold through U.S. STIHL Dealers are for distribution in the United States only.

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HP Ultra is a fully synthetic 2-cycle engine oil specially suited for high performance chainsaws and power tools. This oil has outstanding engine cleaning characteristics, plus “ultra” superior lubricating qualities in comparison to other 2-cycle engine oils. It is ideal for use in STIHL 4-MIX® engines. This oil is biodegradable, degrading by 80% in 21 days.

•2.6 oz. bottle makes 1 gallon mix

•5.2 oz. bottle makes 2 gallon mix

•6.4 oz. bottle makes 2 1/2 gallon mix

•12.8 oz. bottle makes 5 gallon mix

STIHL recommends a mix of 50:1 high-quality 89 octane or higher unleaded gasoline to STIHL engine oil. This same mix ratio should be used during break-in.

The latest advance in gasoline can technology is here with No-Spill® fuel containers. Featuring a special treated body for low permeation, thumb-button flow controls for easier pouring, and a wide and stable base design to reduce upsets, No-Spill® fuel containers help ensure that the gasoline goes into your tank, not on the ground or into the air. Fill even smaller-sized tanks without spilling – flow stops automatically when the tank becomes full. With 1¼-gallon, 2 ½-gallon and 5-gallon sizes available, you’re sure to find one that fits your needs. Ask your local STIHL Dealer about No-Spill® fuel containers. Don’t settle for anything less.

Meets California Air Resources Board Phase II requirements for sale or use in California. No-Spill® gasoline cans are tested and certified to ASTM F-852-99 standard specification for portable gasoline containers for consumer use and our diesel and kerosene cans are tested and certified to ASTM F-976-02 standard specification for portable kerosene and diesel containers for consumer use.

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FS 38 Description

The STIHL FS 38 Grass Trimmer is ideal for homeowners looking for a great value. High cutting speeds and a 15" cutting width trim time off landscaping chores by providing excellent cutting performance. Its lightweight design - just 9.3 pounds! - along with an ergonomic loop handle, curved shaft and low vibration provide operator comfort as well as exceptional handling and maneuverability around landscaping obstacles.

FS 38

FS 38

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FS 38 is rated 3.4 out of 5 by 214.

Rated 2 out of 5 by Semohoney from Worst trimmer I ever owned.Hard to start and keep running. My son uses it. He has never had problems with other trimmers but has had nothing but problems with this one.

Date published: 2016-11-29

Rated 2 out of 5 by unhappyoldman from BAD HEADKind of hard to start but getting use to the procedure that I have developed. The head is something else. Got an electric trimmer and I don't have the line feed problem like I do with this trimmer. If they get a better design head to feed the line out it would probably be a good trimmer.

Date published: 2016-11-21

Rated 5 out of 5 by TannerB from Ideal homeowner trimmerI've had the opportunity to use the Stihl FS 38 around my grandmother's house for the past year. This trimmer, although the smallest gas powered trimmer in Stihl's lineup, is a very durable, powerful trimmer that is able to easily trim along sidewalks, rock flowerbeds, as well as trim thicker grass growing around the creek that runs through the backyard. It is very lightweight and easy to maneuver. This is one great Stihl product.

Date published: 2016-11-20

Rated 5 out of 5 by oneoldman from starts fine for meI bought this trimmer in the spring of 2016. After a full summer of use I have not had any of the problems I read about in the reviews. I bought this just to trim around flower beds. I have a larger stihl trimmer for my yard (2 1\2 acres). If you follow the instructions you should have no problems. It is not made for large yards.

Date published: 2016-11-04

Rated 3 out of 5 by customer from I've had a hard time to get it started the first timeafter the first start it only takes a couple pulls but the first time at least 10 pulls. I've had to take it in twice in less than a year to replace the pull string. Got charged for the cord and the labor because the cord is not "covered " in the warranty which got extended to 4 years because I purchased the STIHL fuel mix. If it continues to break at this rate, by the time the four years are over with, I'll be better off and buy a different brand. I told the Manager that I could put a pull rope my self but guess what then it voids the warranty incase something else goes wrong. I just hope I don't have the same problem with my chainsaw and blower because I guess I will be replacing the cords my self. They then told me not to be pulling so hard and that wouldn't happen so I asked to show me how it was done and sure enough it took them a while to start it ! but in the positive side, it looks cool ! lol...

Date published: 2016-11-02

Rated 1 out of 5 by TedMac from STRING HEAD JAMMING TO THE MAX!!Why can't manufacturers design and build a string head where the string doesn't become jammed upon itself on the spool and must be taken apart every 4 minutes and untangled so the string will advance. All trimmers are bad at this but this model seems worst than most.

Date published: 2016-10-09

Rated 5 out of 5 by Libby36 from I'll never regret buying this product....yes, It was more expensive but the quality is there!!!This is a great product! I wouldn't trade it for the ones I've had in the past...at all. Yes, I paid more money for it but the quality is there. Its easy to start, purrs like a cat, and gets all my jobs done. Two year warranty and I bought oil that's used for it and got another 2 years. Not bad STIHL..... I'm so impressed I'm going back for more products! Thank you!Libby

Date published: 2016-09-27

Rated 2 out of 5 by Unhappy101 from Should have listen to reviews hereI purchased the FS 38 based on good reviews in consumer reports. They typically are on the mark but not in this case. I purchased this trimmer after my 20 year old ______ finally gave up (can't reference competitor). Should have bought another ______ product. I have had the FS 38 for a month, used it twice and I am unhappy. The unit and motor itself are fine. Starts with a couple pulls if choked and primed properly. I saw a lot of people complained about this. The engine isn't my issue. The design of the trimmer head is horrible. It holds 12 feet of line. My ________ head held probably 30ft or more. I trim about a hour, half around chain link and half around pavers. I used to need to add line every 2 cuts (2 hours) now I am doing it 3 times in an hour. Because the unit is light the chain link tends to grab and it tends to weld the line in the head, same line I was using in my old trimmer without a problem. So you have to stop, take apart the assemble free it and start again. I did this 5 times tonight, and added line a total of 3 times. So what used to be a 1 hour job turned into a 1 hour 40 minute job to take care of trimmer line issues. You spend more time fixing it than trimming. It might be a good unit with a different trimmer head but the one with the unit is terrible. I which I could return the unit and get my money back and see if I could get a new _____ unit that had the same head design as my old one. In all honesty the _______ unit I owned would on occasion have the same line welding problem but it was maybe once every other trim not half a dozen times in one hour. I know they do review these reviews so maybe they can send me a different type of head that is designed differently at which time I would be happy to post a positive review if it deserved it.

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STIHL IS THE NUMBER ONE SELLING BRAND OF GASOLINE-POWERED HANDHELD OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT IN AMERICA.*

*”Number one selling brand” is based on syndicated Irwin Broh Research as well as independent consumer research of 2009-2015 U.S. sales and market share data for the gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment category combined sales to consumers and commercial landscapers.

*A majority of STIHL powerheads are built in the United States from domestic and foreign parts and components.